{"id":106145,"date":"2023-09-12T09:51:03","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T13:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/different-japanese-dialects\/"},"modified":"2025-02-27T04:07:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T09:07:31","slug":"different-japanese-dialects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/different-japanese-dialects\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Major Japanese Dialects You Should Know to Seem More Local"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overflowing with confidence, you roam the streets of Japan ready for your first meaningful interaction with a native speaker<\/a>. You want to go to a hobby shop, so you ask a friendly-looking Japanese man walking by if he knows where one is.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u77e5\u3089\u3093\u201d (I don’t know), he answers before vanishing into the crowd.<\/p>\n

What did he just say?<\/em><\/p>\n

Little did you know, you just stumbled onto a speaker of the Hakata Ben dialect of Japanese.<\/p>\n

You see, Japanese isn’t just Standard Japanese\u2014there are seven major dialects of the language spoken in different areas of the country.<\/p>\n

In this post, we’ll tell you about each one of those, including examples about how they differ from standard Japanese, and we’ll also detail what a dialect is.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Standard Japanese<\/h2>\n

The form that is considered the standard is called \u6a19\u6e96\u8a9e (\u3072\u3087\u3046\u3058\u3085\u3093\u3054), \u201cStandard Japanese,\u201d or \u5171\u901a\u8a9e (\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3064\u3046\u3054), \u201ccommon language.\u201d As with the standardized British English of London, spoken by the high class Londoners of previous centuries, \u6a19\u6e96\u8a9e was spoken by the high class citizens of Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration of 1868.<\/p>\n

Today, it is the form taught in schools, used on television<\/a> and in official government communication. Due to this modernization, speakers of regional dialects experienced a sense of inferiority. After World War II, the rise of the already inflated Japanese nationalism led to a push for the replacement of all regional varieties with the \u201ccommon language.\u201d<\/p>\n

The conversion was far from successful. Yes, Standard Japanese is the primary language taught in schools and used in all official matters. However, as difficult as it was for the regional varieties to cast out this sense of inferiority, they are now considered something more valuable: a token of the past, a nostalgic memoir, a verification of local identity.<\/p>\n

It is no longer shameful to speak in your dialect as it was in the past. Young people are even beginning to create their own Creoles\u2014distinct regional speech forms\u2014based on the regional dialect, like the Japanese spoken in Okinawa, for example.<\/p>\n

Major Japanese Dialects\u00a0<\/h2>\n

1. Hakata Ben<\/h3>\n

\"River<\/p>\n

The Hakata dialect (\u535a\u591a\u5f01\/\u306f\u304b\u305f\u3079\u3093) is spoken in and around Fukuoka city. It is sometimes called \u798f\u5ca1\u5f01 (\u3075\u304f\u304a\u304b\u3079\u3093) due to its increased popularity as the typical dialect of Fukuoka and its suburbs. Recently the dialect is being used in regional news along with Standard Japanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grammar point<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Japanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Hakata Ben<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u3060\u3001\u3058\u3083
\nturns into
\n\u3084<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u72ac\u3060\u306d (\u3044\u306c\u3060\u306d)<\/p>\n

It’s a dog, isn’t it?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u72ac\u3084\u306d (\u3044\u306c\u3084\u306d)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u751f\u5f92\u3060\u3051\u3069 (\u305b\u3044\u3068\u3060\u3051\u3069)<\/p>\n

I’m a student but…<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u751f\u5f92\u3084\u3051\u3069 (\u305b\u3044\u3068\u3084\u3051\u3069)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u8d64\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044 (\u3042\u304b\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

It’s not red.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u8d64\u3084\u306a\u3044 (\u3042\u304b\u3084\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u306a\u3044
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3093<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u306a\u3044\u00a0(\u305f\u3079\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

I don’t eat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u3093 (\u305f\u3079\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u77e5\u3089\u306a\u3044 (\u3057\u3089\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

I don’t know.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u77e5\u3089\u3093 (\u3057\u3089\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u3044
\nin adjectives turn into
\n\u2015\u304b<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u9045\u3044 (\u304a\u305d\u3044)<\/p>\n

It’s late.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u9045\u304b (\u304a\u305d\u304b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u826f\u3044 (\u3088\u3044)<\/p>\n

It’s good.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u826f\u304b (\u3088\u304b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Final Particle \u2015\u3088
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3070\u3044<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305d\u308c\u3060\u3088<\/p>\n

That’s it.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305d\u308c\u3084\u3070\u3044<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3088 (\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3088)<\/p>\n

I said it.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3070\u3044 (\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3070\u3044)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

2. Osaka Ben<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The Osaka dialect (\u5927\u962a\u5f01\/\u304a\u304a\u3055\u304b\u3079\u3093), more commonly known as part of the Kansai dialects (\u95a2\u897f\u5f01\/\u304b\u3093\u3055\u3044\u3079\u3093), is spoken in the Kansai<\/a>\u00a0region. In this area, almost everyone is speaking a dialect.<\/p>\n

Osaka Ben is characterized as a more melodic and slightly harsher version of Standard Japanese. The thing you might first notice when you hear a person from Osaka speak is that they easily omit the particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grammar point<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Japanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Osaka Ben<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Final Particle \u2015\u306d
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u306a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5bd2\u3044\u306d (\u3055\u3080\u3044\u306d)<\/p>\n

It’s cold, isn’t it?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5bd2\u3044\u306a (\u3055\u3080\u3044\u306a)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u59cb\u307e\u308b\u306d (\u306f\u3058\u307e\u308b\u306d)<\/p>\n

It’s starting, isn’t it?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u59cb\u307e\u308b\u306a (\u306f\u3058\u307e\u308b\u306a)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u306a\u3044
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3078\u3093<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98f2\u307e\u306a\u3044 (\u306e\u307e\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

I don’t drink.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98f2\u307e\u3078\u3093 (\u306e\u307e\u3078\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u306a\u3044 (\u305f\u3079\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

I don’t eat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u3078\u3093 (\u305f\u3079\u3078\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u304b\u3089
\nturns into
\n\u3055\u304b\u3044<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5e30\u308b\u304b\u3089 (\u304b\u3048\u308b\u304b\u3089)<\/p>\n

I’m leaving.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5e30\u308b\u3055\u304b\u3044 (\u304b\u3048\u308b\u3055\u304b\u3044)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u6687\u3060\u304b\u3089 (\u3072\u307e\u3060\u304b\u3089)<\/p>\n

I’m bored.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u6687\u3084\u3055\u304b\u3044 (\u3072\u307e\u3084\u3055\u304b\u3044)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Final Particle \u2015\u3088
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3067,\uff0d\u308f\uff08weaker\uff09<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u826f\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3088 (\u3088\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3088)<\/p>\n

It was good.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u826f\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3067 (\u3088\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3067)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u305f\u3088 (\u305f\u3079\u305f\u3088)<\/p>\n

I ate.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u305f\u308f (\u305f\u3079\u305f\u308f)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

3. Hiroshima Ben<\/h3>\n

\"Hiroshima<\/p>\n

Back in 1974, there was a movie called \u201cThe Yakuza<\/a>\u201d (Kudos if you know it). This movie used the dialect native to the\u00a0Chugoku<\/a>\u00a0region.<\/p>\n

Ever since, the local dialect is commonly associated with the Japanese mafia, which is unfair, I know. Part thanks to the movie, the Hiroshima Ben (\u5e83\u5cf6\u5f01\/\u3072\u308d\u3057\u307e\u3079\u3093) is one of the most recognizable Japanese dialects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grammar point<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Japanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Hiroshima Ben<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u3060\u3001
\nturns into
\n\u3058\u3083<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u72ac\u3060\u306d (\u3044\u306c\u3060\u306d)<\/p>\n

It’s a dog, isn’t it?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u72ac\u3058\u3083\u306d (\u3044\u306c\u3058\u3083\u306d)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u751f\u5f92\u3060\u3051\u3069 (\u305b\u3044\u3068\u3060\u3051\u3069)<\/p>\n

I’m a student but…<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u751f\u5f92\u3058\u3083\u3051\u3069 (\u305b\u3044\u3068\u3058\u3083\u3051\u3069)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u5143\u6c17\u3060 (\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3060)<\/p>\n

I’m fine.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5143\u6c17\u3058\u3083 (\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3058\u3083)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u306a\u3044
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3093<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u306a\u3044 (\u305f\u3079\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

I don’t eat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305f\u3079\u3093 (\u305f\u3079\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u3057\u306a\u3044<\/p>\n

I don’t do [something].<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305b\u3048\u3078\u3093<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044
\nturn into
\n\u2015\u3093\u3055\u3093\u306a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98f2\u307e\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/p>\n

(\u306e\u307e\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044)<\/p>\n

Please don’t drink.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98f2\u307f\u3093\u3055\u3093\u306a (\u306e\u307f\u3093\u3055\u3093\u306a)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u66f8\u304b\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/p>\n

(\u304b\u304b\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044)<\/p>\n

Please don’t write.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u66f8\u304d\u3093\u3055\u3093\u306a (\u304b\u304d\u3093\u3055\u3093\u306a)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u3066\u3042\u3052\u308b\u3001\u3067\u3042\u3052\u308b
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3061\u3083\u308b\u3001\uff0d\u3058\u3083\u308b<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u6559\u3048\u3066\u3042\u3052\u308b (\u304a\u3057\u3048\u3066\u3042\u3052\u308b)<\/p>\n

Let me show you.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u6559\u3048\u3061\u3083\u308b (\u304a\u3057\u3048\u3061\u3083\u308b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u9078\u3093\u3067\u3042\u3052\u308b (\u3048\u3089\u3093\u3067\u3042\u3052\u308b)<\/p>\n

Let me make a choice.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u9078\u3093\u3058\u3083\u308b (\u3048\u3089\u3093\u3058\u3083\u308b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

4. Kyoto Ben<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Part of the Kansai collection of dialects (\u95a2\u897f\u5f01\/\u304b\u3093\u3055\u3044\u3079\u3093), Kyoto Ben (\u4eac\u90fd\u5f01\/\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3068\u3079\u3093) along with the Osaka Ben \u00a0(\u5927\u962a\u5f01\/\u304a\u304a\u3055\u304b\u3079\u3093), are called the Kamigata dialect (\u4e0a\u65b9\u8a00\u8449\/\u304b\u307f\u304c\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3070, \u4e0a\u65b9\u8a9e\/\u304b\u307f\u304c\u305f\u3054).<\/p>\n

The Kyoto Ben, the traditional dialect of\u00a0Kyoto<\/a>, is known for its softness and politeness. Due to its connections with the\u00a0Geisha culture<\/a>, it’s sometimes considered feminine and elegant.<\/p>\n

Kyoto Ben used to be the Standard form of the language until the Meiji Restoration. Thus, many speakers of the dialect are very proud of their distinct accent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grammar point<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Japanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kyoto Ben<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Final Particle \u2015\u3088
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3048<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u884c\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3088 (\u3044\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3088)<\/p>\n

I’m going.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0\u884c\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3048 (\u3044\u304d\u307e\u3059\u3048)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3067\u3059\u3088<\/p>\n

Here it is.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3069\u3059\u3048<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Final Particle \u2015\u306d
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u306a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3059\u306d<\/p>\n

That’s right.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305d\u3046\u3069\u3059\u306a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u6691\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d (\u3042\u3064\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d)<\/p>\n

It’s hot, isn’t it?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u6691\u3046\u304a\u3059\u306a (\u3042\u3064\u3046\u304a\u3059\u306a)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u3067\u3059\u3001\u3067\u3057\u3066
\nturn into
\n\u3069\u3059\u3001\u3069\u3057\u305f<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3059<\/p>\n

That’s right.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305d\u3046\u3069\u3059<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u3069\u3046\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/p>\n

How was it?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u3069\u3046\u3069\u3057\u305f<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093
\nturns into
\n\u304a\u3078\u3093<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5730\u56f3\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/p>\n

(\u3061\u305a\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093)<\/p>\n

There is no map.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5730\u56f3\u306f\u304a\u3078\u3093 (\u3061\u305a\u306f\u304a\u3078\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u5b66\u751f\u3058\u3083\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/p>\n

(\u304c\u304f\u305b\u3044\u3058\u3083\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093)<\/p>\n

I’m not a student.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5b66\u751f\u3084\u304a\u3078\u3093 (\u304c\u304f\u305b\u3044\u3084\u304a\u3078\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

5. Nagoya Ben<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

I think you’re getting the pattern of my dialect overviews. So where do you think Nagoya Ben (\u540d\u53e4\u5c4b\u5f01\/\u306a\u3054\u3084\u3079\u3093) is spoken? You guessed right: In Nagoya<\/a>\u00a0City of the Aichi prefecture.<\/p>\n

The dialect is a mixture of both eastern and western Japanese dialects, due to the geographical position of Nagoya. Even though the accent is pretty close to standard Tokyo accent, speakers of Nagoya Ben are more than often characterized as speaking like a cat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grammar point<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Japanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nagoya Ben<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Final Particle \u2015\u3088
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u306b<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u7f8e\u5473\u3057\u3044\u3088 (\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044\u3088)<\/p>\n

It’s tasty.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0\u7f8e\u5473\u3057\u3044\u306b (\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044\u306b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u826f\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3088 (\u3088\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3088)<\/p>\n

It was good.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u826f\u304b\u3063\u305f\u306b (\u3088\u304b\u3063\u305f\u306b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Negative form \u2015\u306a\u3044
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u305b\u3093<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98f2\u307e\u306a\u3044 (\u306e\u307e\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

I don’t drink.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98f2\u307e\u305b\u3093 (\u306e\u307e\u305b\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u98df\u3079\u306a\u3044 (\u305f\u3079\u306a\u3044)<\/p>\n

I don’t eat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0\u98df\u3079\u305b\u3093 (\u305f\u3079\u305b\u3093)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044
\nturn into
\n\u30fc\u3066\u3061\u3087\u3046<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u66f8\u3044\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (\u304b\u3044\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044)<\/p>\n

Please write.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u66f8\u3044\u3066\u3061\u3087\u3046 (\u304b\u3044\u3066\u3061\u3087\u3046)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u6765\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (\u304d\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044)<\/p>\n

Please come.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u6765\u3066\u3061\u3087\u3046 (\u304d\u3066\u3061\u3087\u3046)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u304f\u306a\u308b
\nturns into
\n\u30fc\u306a\u308b<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5927\u304d\u304f\u306a\u308b (\u304a\u304a\u304d\u304f\u306a\u308b)<\/p>\n

It becomes big.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u304a\u304a\u304d\u306a\u308b (\u304a\u304a\u304d\u306a\u308b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u5b89\u304f\u306a\u308b (\u3084\u3059\u304f\u306a\u308b)<\/p>\n

It becomes cheap.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5b89\u306a\u308b(\u3084\u3059\u306a\u308b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

6. Sendai Ben<\/h3>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Sendai Ben (\u4ed9\u53f0\u5f01\/\u305b\u3093\u3060\u3044\u3079\u3093) is part of the dialect group Tohoku Ben (\u6771\u5317\u5f01\/\u3068\u3046\u307b\u304f\u3079\u3093), spoken in Tohoku region.\u00a0Sendai<\/a>\u00a0is the capital city of the Miyagi prefecture.<\/p>\n

The Sendai Ben is the closest of the Tohoku ben to the standard form of Japanese. Closer to Hokkaido, the regional dialects are so different, subtitles may be needed with mainstream media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grammar point<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Japanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Sendai Ben<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Particle \u2015\u3092
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3070<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u96d1\u8a8c\u3092\u8cb7\u3063\u305f (\u3056\u3063\u3057\u3092\u304b\u3063\u305f)<\/p>\n

I bought a magazine.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u96d1\u8a8c\u3070\u8cb7\u3063\u305f (\u3056\u3063\u3057\u3070\u304b\u3063\u305f)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u7a93\u3092\u958b\u3051\u308b (\u307e\u3069\u3092\u3042\u3051\u308b)<\/p>\n

I open a window.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u7a93\u3070\u958b\u3051\u308b (\u307e\u3069\u3070\u3042\u3051\u308b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Particle \u2015\u306b\u30fb\u3078
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3055<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u6771\u4eac\u3078\u884c\u304f (\u3068\u3046\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3078\u3044\u304f)<\/p>\n

I go to Tokyo.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u6771\u4eac\u3055\u884c\u304f (\u3068\u3046\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3055\u3044\u304f)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u53cb\u9054\u306b\u8cb8\u3057\u305f (\u3068\u3082\u3060\u3061\u306b\u304b\u3057\u305f)<\/p>\n

I lent it to a friend.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u53cb\u9054\u3055\u8cb8\u3057\u305f (\u3068\u3082\u3060\u3061\u3055\u304b\u3057\u305f)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u3060\u308d\u3046\u3001\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046
\nturn into
\n\u3079<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5bd2\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046 (\u3055\u3080\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046)<\/p>\n

It will be cold.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5bd2\u3044\u3079 (\u3055\u3080\u3044\u3079)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046<\/p>\n

(\u306b\u307b\u3093\u3058\u3093\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046)<\/p>\n

He’s probably Japanese.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u3060\u3079 (\u306b\u307b\u3093\u3058\u3093\u3060\u3079)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u305d\u3046
\nturns into
\n\u3093<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u305d\u3046\u3060<\/p>\n

That’s right.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u3093\u3060<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u305d\u3046\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044<\/p>\n

That’s not it.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u3093\u3067\u306d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

7. Hokkaido Ben<\/h3>\n

\"Snow<\/p>\n

The island of\u00a0Hokkaido<\/a> was settled fairly recently compared to the rest of Japan. After the Meiji Restoration, people from the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions migrated to Hokkaido and created a unique amalgamated dialect. Thus, Hokkaido Ben (\u5317\u6d77\u9053\u5f01\/\u307b\u3063\u304b\u3044\u3069\u3046\u3079\u3093) is a mixture of different varieties with a set of distinct characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grammar point<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard Japanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Hokkaido Ben<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u3088\u306d\uff1f\u00a0\/\u00a0\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff1f
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3063\u3057\u3087<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u884c\u304f\u3088\u306d (\u3044\u304f\u3088\u306d)<\/p>\n

I’m going.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u884c\u304f\u3063\u3057\u3087 (\u3044\u304f\u3063\u3057\u3087)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u3053\u308c\u3060\u3088\u306d<\/p>\n

This is it, isn’t it?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u3053\u308c\u3063\u3057\u3087<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u3088\u306d\uff1f\u00a0\/\u00a0\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff1f
\nturns into
\n\u2015\u3057\u3087\u3084<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3088\u306d (\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3088\u306d)<\/p>\n

I said it, didn’t I?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u3057\u3087\u3084 (\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3057\u3087\u3084)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u660e\u65e5\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046 (\u3042\u3057\u305f\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046)<\/p>\n

It’s probably tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u660e\u65e5\u3057\u3087\u3084 (\u3042\u3057\u305f\u3057\u3087\u3084)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Potential form of Godan Verbs turns into
\n\u30fc\u308c\u308b<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u884c\u3051\u308b (\u3044\u3051\u308b)<\/p>\n

I can go.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u884c\u304b\u308c\u308b (\u3044\u304b\u308c\u308b)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u98f2\u3081\u308b (\u306e\u3081\u308b)<\/p>\n

I can drink.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u98f2\u307e\u308c\u308b (\u306e\u307e\u308c\u308b)]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2015\u3060\u308d\u3046\u00a0\/\u00a0\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046
\nturn into
\n\u3079<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u5bd2\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046 (\u3055\u3080\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046)<\/p>\n

It will be cold.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0\u5bd2\u3044\u3079 (\u3055\u3080\u3044\u3079)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046<\/p>\n

(\u306b\u307b\u3093\u3058\u3093\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046)<\/p>\n

He’s probably Japanese.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u3060\u3079 (\u306b\u307b\u3093\u3058\u3093\u3060\u3079)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What Is a Dialect?<\/h2>\n

According to David Crystal, one of the most celebrated linguists of our time, a dialect is any variety of a language, including the standardized version. A dialect is also any language that is socially linked to a specific region, generally accepted to be derived from a national standard language.<\/p>\n

Japan has a lot of dialects.<\/strong> Considering the length of time the island has been inhabited, the isolation from all external affairs until the late 19th century and the internal isolation of the numerous shogunates<\/a>, the existence of so many dialects shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The main differences between the dialects are generally matters of pitch accents, use of inflections, vocabulary and the use of particles<\/a>. There are instances where they differ even in how they use vowels and consonants.<\/p>\n

There is a main distinction between the different Japanese dialects. They are divided into two major types:<\/strong> the Tokyo-type<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6771\u4eac\u5f0f\/\u3068\u3046\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3057\u304d) and the Kyoto-Osaka type<\/strong> (\u4eac\u962a\u5f0f\/\u3051\u3044\u306f\u3093\u3057\u304d). As you can probably guess, it is a division based on the northern and the southern dialects.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There are dialects from peripheral regions that may be incomprehensible to speakers from different parts of the country. There are even mountain villages or isolated islands that speak dialects derived from Old Japanese.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t worry\u2014you don’t need to study Old Japanese. You just need to be vaguely familiar with the seven major dialects. This will give you just enough knowledge to know when you’re talking to a cheerful guy from Hokkaido or a natural born comedian from Osaka.<\/p>\n

If you want to hear some of these dialects out in the wild, FluentU<\/a> can be a helpful resource.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

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